WBO intercontinental superbantamweight champion Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista exacted payback for his knockout loss to Daniel Ponce de Leon at Antonio (Barrio) Meza’s expense as he pounded out a unanimous 12-round decision in the main event of Third Force Promotions’ boxing extravaganza at the Araneta Coliseum yesterday.
Bautista, 21, desperately tried to knock out Meza but the southpaw visitor just wouldn’t oblige, refusing to back down in a courageous display of Mexican pride. Both fighters exchanged vicious shots from start to finish and it looked like a knockout was a possibility until the final bell.
Referee Bruce McTavish called in ringside physician Dr. Radentor Biernes of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) to check on a cut over Meza’s right eye, inflicted by an accidental headbutt, in the fourth round but action was resumed after a brief examination. The cut didn’t bother Meza the rest of the way.
As Meza tired in the late going, Bautista stepped on the gas and seemed just a power punch away from flooring the challenger. But Meza held on even as Bautista swept at least the last four rounds in a stirring windup.
“I was surprised how tough he was,” said Bautista in Filipino. “He hurt me but I was never in danger of going down. I was in good condition. I didn’t get tired. I wanted to knock him out but he just wouldn’t fall. I think I proved to the fans what I’m made of. I’m back for good.”
Bautista promised a strong showing after bowing to Ponce de Leon in a bid for the WBO 122-pound crown in Sacramento last August. He got the job done.
“Meza was tougher than Sergio Medina,” said ALA stable owner Tony Aldeguer, referring to the Argentinian whom Bautista outpointed in a brutal war last May to earn at the crack at Ponce de Leon’s title. “’Boom Boom’ still has to improve. He’s not really a jabber but jabbing is what he needs to set up his power punch. He showed good defense and didn’t lose his head. The important thing is I think he has overcome the trauma of his first defeat.”
Meza, 25, had no excuses. He was lucky to survive the distance and ended the bout with lumps, bruises and blood on his face. A crowd of over 7,000 applauded the Mexican for his gutsy stand.
The judges’ scorecards weren’t close. Epie Almeda saw it 118-110, Salven Lagumbay 117-111 and Jonathan Davis, 116-112, all for Bautista who raised his record to 24-1, with 17 KOs. Meza’s record dipped to 23-4, with 16 KOs.
In other bouts, WBO youth superflyweight titlist A. J. Banal halted Mexico’s Jovanny (Bambino) Soto at 2:15 of the ninth round, WBO Asia-Pacific minimumweight champion Milan Melindo decisioned Indonesian challenger Jack Amisa, Philippine bantamweight ruler Michael Domingo beat Tanzania’s Anthony Mathias on points, Richie Mepranium registered an upset split 10-round decision over Philippine flyweight titleholder Rocky Fuentes in a non-title tiff, Jesson Perater defeated Marron Sanchez, Anton Olarte trounced Jason Pagara, Joseph Omanz stopped Albert Cesa at 2:33 of the second round and Bai Elorde crushed Cris Dollosin on a shutout four-round verdict.
“It was all-out war in the ring,” said Third Force president Noli Eala. “The fighters were extremely motivated to win. This is what every boxing fan dreams of and we, at Third Force, are proud to make it happen.”
Eala credited the consortium behind Third Force for supporting the milestone event. The consortium is made up of ABC-5 owner Tony Boy Cojuangco, banker Eric Tagle and Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim.
The fights were supervised by GAB chairman Eric Buhain, WBO vice president Rudy Paz and WBO Asia-Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo. Ring announcer Amy Hayes, who was brought in from Kentucky, added spice to the affair and was lustily applauded by fans.